NASA’s SpaceX Crew-12 mission launched on 13 February 2026 from Kennedy Space Center, Florida, carrying an international astronaut crew and Canadian-developed Bio-Monitor health monitoring technology to the International Space Station (ISS).
The Crew Dragon spacecraft launched aboard a Falcon 9 rocket and will dock with the ISS as part of the ongoing crew rotation and scientific research programme aboard the orbiting laboratory.
Crew composition and mission transport
The spacecraft is carrying NASA astronaut Jessica Meir, serving as commander, and NASA astronaut Jack Hathaway as pilot. The crew is completed by European Space Agency astronaut Sophie Adenot and Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev, both serving as mission specialists.
Canadian health monitoring technology deployment
The mission will also deliver Canadian Bio-Monitor smart shirt systems to the ISS. The system is designed to measure and record astronauts’ vital signs.
During ISS missions, the Bio-Monitor system consists of a smart shirt, a headband and a dedicated tablet application. The technology is used to support monitoring of astronaut physiological data during spaceflight operations.
ISS research role
Astronauts have lived and worked aboard the ISS for more than 25 years, supporting science and research objectives. Research conducted aboard the station has contributed to understanding how microgravity environments affect astronaut health.
This research is expected to support future long-duration space missions, including sustained human presence on the Moon and eventual missions to Mars.
SOURCE AND IMAGE: NASA SPACEX
CAPTION: NASA astronaut Jonny Kim wears the Bio-Monitor, which consists of a smart shirt, a headband, and a dedicated tablet application. (Credit: NASA)
